The dream lives on. In fact, a group lacking stardust in its teams offers a giddy yet realistic prospect that Northern Ireland could barge all the way through to end a footballing age since the nation last made it to a major tournament.

The last time was the Mexico World Cup, 23 long years ago, a tournament Nigel Worthington played in. And, as the delighted support disappeared into a Belfast evening bookended by fighting between the drunken Poland support and local constabulary, the manager was left contemplating 10 points gathered and his team's destiny now gripped more firmly. "The players can have a nice night and be back tomorrow ready to go again," was Worthington's verdict.

Next up on Wednesday will be Slovenia, whose 0-0 draw with Czech Republic hardly propels them over the Irish Sea with an unstoppable momentum. "The one thing we've got to do now is avoid an After the Lord Mayor's Show performance on Wednesday," Worthington added. "We've got to get focused and do the same again, get another three points and remain top of the group."

A skidding wind was wobbling the ball sideways across the pitch forcing players, whose technique was only Championship-level at best, into a kick-and-chase display, a pattern which continued throughout. The errant breeze also fooled Artur Boruc into foregoing a steepling catch – which would not be his last mistake.

Damien Johnson, skipper for the day in recognition of his 50th cap, headed the ball back across from the right and Warren Feeney, partnering David Healy in a 4-4-2 formation, scored a fourth for his country on 10 minutes.

Boruc had one of those matches. Not comprehensively popular in these parts for his wearing of a Pope T-shirt while playing for Celtic, the 29-year-old had received a death threat before the game, causing voices all round to plead for calm. He was anything but just after the half hour when scuffing a clearance from his skipper Michal Zewlakow, to the derision of Windsor Park's crowd and Boruc was lucky the ball did not fall to an Irish player to allow Worthington's team to retake a lead only recently lost.

This happened when an offside trap failed to convince the assistant referee to raise his flag as Ireneusz Jelen, Poland's front man in their 4-5-1, raced towards Maik Taylor. The keeper slowed the striker's shot but it was not enough to avert the equaliser. That it had been the visitor's sole clear chance so far only increased local groans.

Yet with the hostilities around the ground continuing Worthington and his team again had a great start to a half of football when the teams turned around. This time it was almost instantaneous. Grant McCann of Scunthorpe United floated in a corner to Jonny Evans of Manchester United and the defender swept it beyond Boruc. "I'd scored here before but unfortunately it was an own goal in a friendly," Evans offered of a debut international strike. "So it was nice."

Even nicer for Boruc-taunters soon followed. Another innocuous back-pass from Zewlakow was this time transformed by a horrible bobble and, surely, some Boruc hubris. He might have taken a touch or six, instead the keeper decided to slash at the ball and that was three-one. Marek Saganowksi headed a late consolation, but this was Northern Ireland's night. It could also be their group.